NATO says it is taking all steps to provide a secure environment and freedom of movement in northern Kosovo. NATO spokesperson Oana Lungescu added that the Western military alliance’s mission in Kosovo, KFOR, takes the events in northern Kosovo “very seriously”.
“The implementation of its mandate by KFOR is unwavering, as evidenced by the deployment of 500 additional troops. We once again remind all parties of their obligations under the Military-Technical Agreement, including respect for the administrative boundary line, procedures for the Kosovo Police, and the 2013 agreement on the deployment of the Kosovo Security Forces in the north. These obligations are designed to ensure coordinated action, avoid escalation, and maintain a secure environment,” NATO stated in its response.
According to the Military-Technical Agreement of Kosovo, which ended the war in Kosovo, KFOR is responsible for the security of Kosovo’s borders.
On 14 June, three Kosovo border police officers were arrested by Serbian forces in the border area between Kosovo and Serbia. Serbia claims that they were arrested “deep” within its territory. However, Kosovo states that they were abducted within the territory of Kosovo.
As the primary responsible party for the security of Kosovo’s territory, KFOR stated on 16 June that “based on the available data, it remains unclear where the officials of the Kosovo Police were at the time of the arrest”.
A court in Kraljevo has ordered a 30-day pre-trial detention for the three Kosovo police officers. The U.S. Department of State has called on Serbia to immediately release the Kosovo police officers, who, according to Washington, are being held in pre-trial detention on unfounded charges.
The case of the three Kosovo police officers comes at a time of escalating tensions in northern Kosovo, predominantly populated by Serbs.
Serbs in this area have been protesting since 26 May when newly elected Albanian mayors entered municipal buildings with the assistance of the Kosovo Police.
Tensions peaked on 29 May when Serbian protesters clashed with NATO’s mission in Kosovo, KFOR, in Zvečan. Dozens of individuals from both sides were injured in the clashes.
